Looking for ways to keep your house fur free? We’ve got 7 dog shedding home remedies that will help keep Fido clean, healthy and best of all, less shed!
In 2016 we welcomed a “killer” police dog into our home…and by killer, I mean the sweetest, most social dog I’ve ever met yet! It was an interesting transition to welcome Hannah in.
She’s got 2 sides to her: the perfectly trained military hyper-obedient side but also her loveable, playful, social side. Han is a Belgian Malinois who has free reign of the home when she’s not working alongside my husband.
She spreads out all over the couch, our bed, the kids’ beds, anywhere she pleases, lol! We miss her when she’s working so my husband surprised the kids last week with Jango, a 6 week old Mal. Two shedders in the house, ack!
So I decided to research some home remedies to keep their hair to themselves.
Visit more of our pet friendly ideas:
- Homemade Dog Treats
- How to Get Rid of the Dog Smell
- DIY Pet Bed
- Outdoor Activities to do with your Dog
- Doggie Den: The Prettiest Dog Kennel Around!
7 Dog Shedding Home Remedies
1. Vacuum
First and foremost: you need a great vacuum routine which one of the best dog shedding home remedies. My all time FAVORITE vac is the Swiffer®Sweep and Vac Floor Vac™. We were introduced to this nifty little vacuum in NYC by Swiffer themselves. It makes dealing with dog shedding an as-you-go basis. No plugging the vacuum in and no cord tangled. It’s simply brilliant: it sucks up the bigger pieces of dirt but catches EVERYTHING with its Swiffer® Sweeper™ Dry Pad Refills. NOTHING gets past it. I’ve been using it exclusively for 4 months to test it and haven’t pulled out the Shark once. (We don’t have any carpet in the house so this is PERFECT for my family.) Here is how Jango eats…with his foot IN the bowl, ha!! No wonder he makes a mess. But no worries, we’ve got you covered for easy clean up.
Bonus Tip: Fabric Softener Sheets.
You’ve got the goods in place with your easy to use Swiffer Vac, now try this hack: swap your Swiffer Pads for a fabric softener sheet and run it along the baseboard. It leaves behind a coating that repels future dust and pet hair.
2. Healthy Food
Start with Our vet recommends Science Diet Active for our dogs…because if you own a Mal, you KNOW how active they are! Your dog needs plenty of nutrients in their food and a consistent diet prevents shedding.
3. Add Olive Oil to Food.
Add a tablespoon of olive oil to your dog’s food every day. It contains omega-3 fatty acids which conditions their skin and coat. Healthy coats equal less fur equals win-win.
4. Add Molasses to Food.
Did you know that molasses can reduce shedding? This may be a tastier option for your furry friend: 1 tsp per 10 lbs.
5. Brush regularly.
Ms. K9 came with a FURminator. Sounds a little like Terminator which made me nervous to use it but the prior police sergeant who brought Hannah over to meet us said it’s important to use every 3 days. It’s a great bonding experience between dog and owner and also keeps her loose hairs at bay. We hit it hard in the changing seasons and brush her for at least 5 minutes.
6. Bathe regularly.
Hannah is around a lot of icky situations so she gets a warm bath weekly. This is a great way to loosen all that extra fur to prevent it from the corners of your kitchen. Our vet recommended this Oatmeal Dog Shampoo. Bonus: it smells great!
7. Air Purifier.
We’ve yet to do this personally but since Hannah sleeps in our room, this is a good idea for us to. It’ll filter dust and allergens while you sleep. My husband gets bad allergies in the spring so I bet this could benefit him as well. Heads up: You’ve got to change the filters but this purifier has good reviews.
Question for you:
Sandra Crosby says
Thank you for all the information. I will be trying some of these for our dashound.
Lolly Jane says
Yay! You’re so welcome 🙂
Janice says
I read all the messages and I will definitely try these Before moving out ! I am at the point of just shaving her down. . Butt naked! ! Love my dog and if she wasn’t so cute and loved me so I would move. She is 30 # mixed beagle/collie rescue 3 1/2 yr old with severe heart problems. Help
Lolly Jane says
Hahaha butt naked..that is so tempting 😀
Kim says
These things are great but i was going for elimination (not of my furball)or at the very least some form of prevention!!! I have a shepherd wolf mix so his hair is longer than a fancy shepherd and much much thicker. Every time i brush him you would think he had a liter of puppies lol! And my house is small. I need help!!
Lolly Jane says
Unless you have a non-shedding breed, there’s no way to eliminate. Unfortunately!! 🙁
Alandria Onry says
Thanks u,this dog is about to make me leave my house,for good.
Lolly Jane says
Hahaha hang in there!
Edith says
Got the same feeling, too. Just awhile ago I banged the door and right now “he” is too sad curling outside the door.
Lolly Jane says
Argh! The insanity of dog hair! *insert crazy face*
Barb says
Very helpful. but just in case there is some confusion please make sure you pick up “fancy” molasses and NOT “cooking” molasses. Your puppy might never trust his food dish again! Thanks
Lolly Jane says
Good to know, thanks, Barb! 🙂
Sheila Blackwell says
I have too great Cats that I love dearly. Controlling the fur is huge.
Any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.
Lolly Jane says
We just adopted a cat!
Here are our best tips:
Pet your cat 1 or 2 times a week, that’s enough pressure to pull a lot of the old fur out and leave the new hairs.
If your cat is eating a balanced diet and drinking enough water, their coat should be shiny and healthy. These diets generally result in healthy hair coats with less shedding.
Use a Furminator on the cat and even a small handheld vacuum!
Use the Swiffer which attracts hair and dirt and also bust out a lint roller, too!
Chris Day says
Kelli and Kristi, thanks for re-posting these tips. I use all of them except using molassas. And instead of air purifier, I use Fabreeze-for-pets and spray directly onto dog beds, and all the fabric in the house.
My furry friends are a Belgian Tervuren and a German Shepherd (breed sheds year-round). Here’s my fur buster: I have a dog groomers’ blower/dryer which I use to “blow the fur off.” In about 6-7 minutes, I can help my dog lose 10-12 brush fulls of hair, and there’s no pulling of tangles to fight. Works great!
Lolly Jane says
Awesome tips!! Off to look for the dog groomer blower/dyer. Thank you for sharing!
Malena says
We have a Bullmastiff/German Shepherd mix. 110 lbs of hairy love. I’ve had Shepherds before. I have never in my life seen a dog shed like this one. It literally falls off of her like the needles on Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. My Dyson stick vac changed my life. I vacuum at least twice a day. I cannot tell you how much powdery fine dust and dander I pick up every day. She eats a great dog food. I’ve tried fish oil and other omega 3 supplements. I brush her with the Furminator. Nothing helps. Winnie is not allowed to sleep with us, and welcome has access to the bedrooms because of the hair. I use the Dyson in those rooms also, because of course the hair sticks to us. Thank goodness we have hard floors.
Rhonda Townsend says
Is coconut oil hood for the coat and helps with shedding?
Lolly Jane says
Yes!! Coconut oil is good for dogs and can help aid their digestion, improve their coats, help prevent infection and more. Start with small amounts to get them used to it:
¼ teaspoon per day for small dogs and puppies, 1 teaspoon for large dogs. After you’ve let their body adjust, the optimal dose of coconut oil for dogs is about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight daily or about 1 tablespoon per 30 pounds.
Leesa Thompson says
I have two dogs of different breeds, but they both shed crazily. I can brush one and 5 mins later its like ive never groomed her ever. In ten mins of changing furniture, the couch will be full of hair again. Now I vaccum everyday, i brush daily. I need HELP.
Lolly Jane says
Try the Furminator, that pulls all the loose hair easily and quickly. After several days, you should see less hair. Good luck!! 🙂
Anette says
We have a rescue dog .i believe hes a catahoula mix but not sure. He sheds like theres no tomorrow .i havent tried the molasses or olive oil .i just foind this page and now i will try them. He loves to sleep in our bed anx to wake up with a bumch of all over you is crazy. If he weighs 83.2 how much of olive oil or molasses should i use and can you use both at the same time or just one ? Im deteemined to try and get this under control. Hes brushed. Several tikes a day and night . looking for many recommendations to help him.
Lolly Jane says
Hi Anette,
I bet your dog is so cute! Here are the measurements:
1 tbs. olive oil to 3 C. dog food,
1 tsp per 10 lbs.
Hope this helps and that you’ve found a good remedy! 🙂
Joan says
Can a 4 month old baby get very stuffy from dog hair?
Lolly Jane says
Hi Joan! I’ve never had my own 4-month old get stuffy from hair but I’m sure if it’s excessive then it’s a possibility! Try these remedies if you think your little babe is from your pooch 🙂 xo
Glenda Hutchinson Elloie says
Thanks for these tips, I will be trying them today. Because I sweep just about everyday.So I hope this will work out for me.
Lolly Jane says
Seriously, we have to sweep sooo often with her fur!
Tiffany says
Thank you for the tips! I will definitely be trying the olive oil & molasses tip. My 6 month old lab/hound mix is starting to shed!
Lolly Jane says
You’re so welcome! We have had Boston terriers and a breed of Shepherd so we get it, glad the tips will help your cute pooch! 🙂
Nadine says
Another great brush for long, double coated dogs is the Paws Pamper Undercoat Rake. I use it three, ok, sometimes two times a week for like 15 minutes and it makes a big difference. Getting to that loose hair before it ends up literally everywhere is key. My dog doesn’t mind this rake and its good quality. Highly recommend =) https://amzn.to/2QL1opH
Tina says
Thanks for the tip on the olive oil. Someone told me fish oil but I didn’t want to smell it. How do I join your page so I can get some more great ideas… Someone sent this in a link to me and when I tried to open it and Pinterest it said web page not available?? Also will all these tips work for cats as well that’s what I have now but I will be getting a dog in about a year
Lolly Jane says
Web page not available?? Ahh! You were able to see this post (http://lollyjane.com/dog-shedding-home-remedies/) to comment, right? I bet they would work on a cat. I wouldn’t want to smell fish oil either…we sneak the pill form in 😉
Nadine says
We use the Paws Pamper Undercoat Rake on all the double coated breeds that come into the shop this time of year. It doesn’t pull on the hair and the dogs don’t mind it at all, some of them fall asleep! The clients like the results and the hair it gets out is insane, lol! Highly Recommend 🙂
Lolly Jane says
Great to know!! THANK YOU!
Susan says
Congrats, you’re featured this week at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party.
[email protected] says
Our black lab sheds like crazy too. Although she doesn’t sleep on the bed, she will sneak a nap on the sofa if we’re not at home. But dog hair just seems to float and land everywhere. I like the idea of the olive oil in her food or the molasses. Thanks for the ideas.
Lolly Jane says
We’ve just started adding olive oil to her coat and it seems to be working 🙂 Whenever I wear my black socks…I find her red hair, lol!
Sandy says
Swiffer is great in picking up dog hair. My long hair Chihuahua wired terrier mix sheds like crazy some days. I dread when he lays on my coat before I can hang it up quick enough. I will try your tips and see if I can get it under control. Any tips on how to give baths to a dog who fears the water?
Lolly Jane says
Great question! We use a hose on low when ours get scared of the bath, it’s messier for us but keeps them calmer.
Jennifer Pebworth says
I have a boxer/ German Shepherd mix who use to be terrified of the water. I bathe him in tub and found that actually getting in the tub and sitting on the side of the tub worked like a charm!! Now he has no issues with getting bathed …he actually just jumps right on in the tub now!! Lol
Lolly Jane says
Haha how cute! Yay! 🙂
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Great tips & such a cute dog!! I have a bulldog. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & Shared.
Jann Olson says
No dogs here anymore, but thanks for sharing this great info with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Hatton says
GREAT TIPS! I love swiffer but haven’t tried the vacuum. And I’m going to try adding olive oil to our dog’s food!!
Doodz Young says
Also, eggyolk is good to lessen if not stop shedding. I give eggyolk my lab everyday.
Lolly Jane says
Good to know! Thank you for weighing in!
Kelly says
How many egg yoke do you give your lab my keeps shedding a lot and the Eggs everyday ok for the dog
Lolly Jane says
Just one. Daily Puppy says: One egg provides more than 5 grams of protein, which contributes to a healthy coat. The white provides slightly more protein than the yolk, along with most of the egg’s magnesium, potassium, riboflavin and niacin content. The nutrient-dense yolk carries 100 percent of the vitamins A, E, D and K, as well as the majority of trace minerals including zinc, copper, manganese and phosphorus, among others. Eggs are easily digested, delivering good nutrition in a tasty package.
Darlene says
Do you cook the egg or give it raw?
Lolly Jane says
Either way, whatever is your preference but I like to cook first 🙂
Kris says
I heard too much protein will cause shedding. And egg yolks have a lot of protein. I had my dog shampooed with furminator shampoo and brushed with a deshedder. That was great! It kept him from shedding for 8 weeks. The last time I had that done I gave him egg yolks for a few days after and he started shedding. It was 3 weeks after his furminator grooming. I know it doesn’t prove anything but keep it in mind if your dogs shedding gets heavier after feeding him egg yolks.
Lolly Jane says
Thanks for weighing in, Kris!! Great info!
Tiffany says
Hi There Kelli & Kristin!!
I couldn’t have read this at a better time. We got our little Harley Girl about 5 months ago and she’s short haired but I was not prepared for how that short hair still seems to get EVERYwhere!! I will definitely be putting these tips to use… out of the 7 the only one I knew of was the dryer sheets so thanks so much for sharing!
Lolly Jane says
So glad it helped!! XO
pam smith says
Your babies are so adorable! We have five rescues, so yes, there is fur everywhere! We usually just call it our accessory :). Thanks for the great tips!
Susan says
Have you been in my home recently and seen the tumbleweeds of dog hair rolling around? Vacuuming every day, or at least every other, is the only thing I can do in the winter. In the summer the Furminator and I are best friends. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party.
Leslie Soto says
Hi! I’m one of the co-hosts from Welcome Home Wednesdays. Your post will be a lifesaver to us. Our one year old shepard/mastiff mix is such a shedder. I didn’t know I could add olive oil to her food but you can bet i’ll be doing that from now on. We definitely need an air purifier for our room because she sleeps with us so that will be super beneficial! Thank yo for sharing this post. Your sweet baby is precious!
Lolly Jane says
Thanks for co-hosting, Leslie! Glad the tips are helping you, anything to help reduce or keep the shedding at bay is a plus around our house, too! 😉 Our K9 pooch sleeps by our side as well, love the safety of having a “guard dog”, even if she will just lick visitors to death. Haha!
[email protected] says
Thank you for the info. We have three shedders running around our home. And we do a few of things you mentioned but there are some new ideas to try. Visiting from Pat and Candy.
Lolly Jane says
Good luck, Naomi!! We love our dogs but not their stray fur 🙂
Jess says
Such a great idea! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Libby Blaha says
Thank you for that information. I have a little 7 pound Papillon and she sheds enough
hair to make a sweater. It’s definitely worth a try
Lolly Jane says
Awww, she sounds so cute!! Good luck, Libby 🙂
Barbara Heather says
Thank you for all the tips on sheading, I have a 3 and a half pounder chiwhawha
Lolly Jane says
Ahhh…I went through 4 sheets on my lint roller with our Hannah today. I feel you!!
Pam says
We have two “German Shedders” and I would be totally lost without my Black & Decker Flex Hand Vacuum with its amazing pet hair brush attachment. It works really well!
http://amzn.to/2jad0Aw
Lolly Jane says
Good to know!! Thanks, Pam!! And LOL at German Shedders…made me chuckle!! You know how busy the breed is and how much hair they love to share with the house, lol!! 😀